Russian Helicopters To Settle in India

Russian Helicopters and Elcom Systems, part of Indian investment conglomerate Sun Group, have signed an agreement to create a factory, in India, for building Russian Helicopters’ Mi- and Ka- brands. The first model to be produced will be the Ka-226T light twin. The joint venture will manufacture “key helicopter units” and perform final assembly. It will even have ground and flight-test capability. Another agreement was reached to create a training organization for pilots and maintenance technicians. The enterprise will also be “eligible to implement offset projects” when Russian Helicopters is a bidder in an Indian tender. Some 280 Russian-made helicopters are flying in India today.